Frequently Asked Questions
Please check the list below for your answer. If you require additional information you can write to enquiries@wmf.org.uk and we will endeavour to respond to you within 48 hours either by e-mail or telephone.
1. How much funding will WMF Britain provide for my project?
WMF Britain is not a grant giving body. We fundraise for projects on an individual basis and our qualification procedure is rigorous. The following text provides some guidelines on the type of project we support.
2. How can WMF Britain help my building in need?
If you are trying to help protect a heritage site and want to request some assistance you should download and complete a Request For Assistance (RFA) form here. We can supply hard copies of the form if required. You should also send it to enquiries@wmf.org.uk
3. How does WMF Britain choose appropriate sites to support?
In many cases a professional working in the field of conservation or an enthusiastic local nominator will contact us. Some of our most successful projects have been driven by those who simply have an emotional connection to the site.
There is one basic rule:
WMF Britain does not work on sites which are privately owned.
A WMF Britain project should have a useful future and a facility for delivering additional value to their communities, usually through education and public access.
Sites are assessed by our expert staff on the three principal criteria:
Significance of site – How important is it in terms of its intrinsic artistic, historic or social value?
Need – Does the site face imminent destruction? What are its problems? Is funding unlikely to come from any other known sources?
Viability of the project – is there a workable solution to save the site by removing a threat, through advocacy or with financial and technical assistance? Has an appropriate end use for the building been found? How much public access will the completed project afford?
4. What sort of assistance can WMF Britain offer?
WMF Britain’s assistance depends upon there being an appropriate agreement in place between our organisation and those who are responsible for a site. This would be one of five categories: fundraising, conservation management, education, advocacy and partnership building.
Fundraising: Our fundraising activities are organised on an individual basis and the vast majority of the donations we manage are given for specific projects. In some situations WMF Britain can offer grants for specific uses or can issue a ‘challenge’ whereby we offer a sum of money if it is matched by other donors.
Conservation Management: WMF Britain can offer expert advice from our staff in the UK and the rest of the world. We can call upon over 40 years of experience in developing and managing conservation projects that are tailored to the specific needs of the site in question. WMF Britain has access to an international network of professionals who advise us and provide an effective peer review of our activities.
Education: Most of our projects have an important educational component. We organise conferences (both in the UK and abroad), study days and seminars on a variety of themes and contribute to school projects. This activity is also complemented by a popular lecture programme delivered by prominent speakers, based at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Advocacy: Press activity is often the best way to effect a change when the cultural environment is under attack. Our campaigns include many initiatives from the Watch List, such as 20th Century Heritage or Sites in Conflict, as well as project-based initiatives such as Battersea Power Station. Our advocacy campaigns include all media activities such as PR, events, lectures, publications, radio and television broadcasts, newspaper and magazine features, site visits and direct mobilisation of interested and influential parties.
Partnership Building: WMF Britain builds effective partnerships between our organisation, site nominators and owners. It is only possible to help sites with viable partnerships as it is absolutely essential that WMF is able to communicate freely, accurately monitor its involvement and report progress to our many donors.
5. How does WMF work globally?
WMF’s global remit is reflected in its spread of offices, which can also be found in Paris, Lisbon and Madrid. WMF Britain works closely with its Headquarters in New York.
6. What is the ‘Watch List’?
Every two years WMF publishes the WORLD MONUMENTS WATCH LIST OF 100 MOST ENDANGERED SITES. This list, selected by an independent panel of heritage experts, identifies the main areas where cultural heritage is at risk and therefore helps the organisation prioritise its activities.
In most cases a nomination to the Watch List provides significant advocacy benefits for that site which can alone result in positive action to address its threats. In addition to this it allows us to consider whether we wish to develop a more prominent partnership with the project.
7. How does listing on the WORLD MONUMENTS WATCH LIST OF 100 MOST ENDANGERED SITES differ from a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation?
WMF Britain often works alongside UNESCO at World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO designation of World Heritage Site is dependent upon governmental support of the host nation and is a permanent designation, unless specifically revoked for reasons such as mismanagement.
Contrary to this, WMF Watch Listing is a non-permanent designation that lasts for two years unless a site is kept on the Watch List. The biennial Watch List aims to raise awareness of the threat to a site and to ensure that this leads to action. In approximately 75% of cases that risk being mitigated over a Watch List cycle.
The nominations for inclusion in on the Watch List can come from anyone but applications are helped through support from owners of the site, local authorities or known heritage NGOs.
8. What percentage of WMF Britain’s income is spent on administration?
87.5% of funds raised cover the direct costs of a project.
Only 12.5% of funds are used to cover the overheads of WMF Britain.
9. What is the Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage?
The Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage allows WMF to provide matching funding to host countries and other international donors that support conservation projects. The Wilson Challenge has supported some of WMF’s most ambitious projects and has leveraged millions of dollars in matching support from outside the United States.
10. Does WMF have any preferences for any time period?
No. WMF runs a tremendously varied range of initiatives from protecting Iraq’s Cultural Heritage and Sites in Conflict, the problems of preserving Modernism, as well as the special needs of European Fine Interiors. WMF Britain’s project choice is also varied, ranging from Roman mosaics to Battersea Power Station.
11. What benefits do I receive as a member of WMF Britain?
By becoming a member you will receive a variety of our publications.
These include 'ICON' magazine (four times a year), a news-stand publication which discuss the challenges and rewards of working within the preservation field.
'Monumentum', WMF Britain’s biannual newsletter showcasing the work of this office.
The Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites
A password to restricted members only information on the website.
In addition, you will be invited to attend some of the best arts and architectural events in Britain, including private views of major exhibitions, as well as talks from top-name speakers such as Antony Gormley, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Jung Chang and Alain de Botton.
You will also have the opportunity to travel abroad on exclusive trips which provide unrivalled access to the best in foreign art and architecture. Each trip is hosted by architectural and conservation specialists and is accompanied by WMF Britain staff.